DISCORD: 9tt2WKRweP
The Second Date
Ei was bored.
The official statement of Lord Kujou flew over her thoughts as the puppet Raiden Shogun continued to delegate today's affairs. As what happened yesterday, and the day before. It was peculiar on why the days seemed to go slower each moment.
For over hundreds of years she spent in solitude within her Plain of Euthymia, the world continued to turn and move on without her. She has seen it now, that her Eternity cannot be easily applied to the rest of the people of Inazuma. The food, the books, and even things and concepts she had never heard of continue to strive ahead, with or without her permission.
It was just frustrating to know that her efforts were viable, but only to her.
The Shogun ruled with Almighty Strength, but Ei hid like a petulant child, angry and scared of the world ahead. Fearing of what more she could lose. What a joke. The people had faith in a coward that believed in shutting herself in, and never letting anyone close again. But then again, the people only know of the Shogun, not the Ei that was inside a piece of weaponry.
Loneliness was a factor she deemed necessary, lest she slowly erode like Morax did.
Her world-views were shattered so easily, and by a stranger too.
"I am not here to argue with your logic. I am here to destroy them."
That was the moment that Ei realized that there was more to the stranger- no, Traveler than she ever had deemed significant. He was an interesting individual, and she wanted to know more. It was dangerous, being curious and all that. Curiosity killed the owner after all, or was it the cat? Mortal sayings were confusing even to this day.
Ei had kept her distance, especially when she took her time to come up with the future of her rule in Inazuma. While still strong, the fragile power of the Tri-Commissions were slowly waning. She already dealt with the turbulence of the Tenryou commission, but the Hiiragi clan was on the brink of collapse. After being trialed guilty of collaborating with a Harbinger of all people, all assets and services would now go to another minor clan of the Kanjou Commission. The name of the clan escapes her, but it matters not.
The port of Ritou would be under new management, especially when she decided to open the borders of Inazuma.
Ei cringed hard when she had heard of the prices of entry, and did her best to at least fairly compensate the unfortunate businessmen and traders. The idea of an association that protects its members intrigued her, and even gave full funding as a sorry note. No people, no matter their background, would suffer under her watch. Ei did Baal a great disservice from her rash actions. To think even the trusted clans she had put her trust in betrayed her. It was more ironic that Clan Kamisato stood strong to the turbulent storms that she incurred towards her people. Ei has a lot of fixing to do.
It was still inevitable that the Traveler would seek her. Ei had a feeling that Yae was the perpetrator of the events of that day, but she wasn't so sure.
Nevertheless, it was a day she would always remember.
Ei spent hundreds of years in the Plane of Euthymia, meditating her soul so it wouldn't crumble like Morax did. A state of perpetual eternity. But was it the eternity she was looking for?
She hated to admit it, but she was rearing for the day the Traveler would ask her out again. For serious purposes, of course, as the people still needed her guidance and assistance, but the world feels too big for her to go at it alone. She'll wait for the chance. Maybe.
"...and so, the armory of the Army is lacking. With the Tatarasuna still closed off, we need another source of metalworking to at least compensate for the lack of quality weapons. The Tenryou Commission was in charge of the mess assigning every available administrator to negotiate with the local blacksmiths, but with the recent upheaval, many of the retainers of the commission are either on standby or under investigation. No progress is still made with the armory, and at this point even the rebels are prepared to strike at our weakest."
Many of the lords present nodded their heads in agreement, and some were courageous enough to send glares at the representative of the Kujou clan. Poor Sara, the young woman had herself run-ragged, running a sinking ship that was soon to be left at the bottom of the ocean. The Shogun herself was blank on the matter, as the puppet was in silent agreement too. With the negotiations paused for the time being, many had ample opportunities to rebuild and restructure the forces of the Shogun.
Too many warriors were lost because of her ignorant and blind faith in her advisers. And some had to suffer for it. Ei knew full well the deep throes Kujou Sara was in, and she pitied the girl. Too heavy was the burden of the sins of the father. She had heard whispers of "traitor" were shared with everyone at Tenshukaku, from the lowliest servant to even the high-lords of the Tri-Commissions. Only the Kamisato Clan were the only ones not against her, but are neither supporting her.
Truly, unfortunate folks suffer. And Ei feels guilty. But no more.
Controlling the puppet was out of the question, but her presence was needed. Silence shrouded the whole room as the Shogun willfully descended from her throne. Every person's breath hitched when the being known as the Raiden Shogun suddenly drew her infamous blade, knowing that it would be the end for someone. Even Sara was deathly pale, her expression of horror dawning upon her when the Shogun was directly looking at her. It amused and saddened Ei that her subjects would think so lowly of her.
The blinding light that followed flashed everything on the room, including her. It has been a short while since she returned to the present time, outside the comforts of the Plane of Euthymia. Suddenly, there were now two Shoguns in the room, and everybody knew that the being before them was the true ruler of the eternal land of Inazuma, Baal. Or so they believed.
"It is time for a new decree, it would seem."
Ei decided that it was best to confront them, instead of the shallow being that was the Shogun. She still has needs for it, but at this moment, it was just a puppet. "All of you seem to forget the punishment that I already settled a long while ago. The Kujou clan, while under investigation and hard scrutiny, are still the appointed rulers of the Tenryou commission until I deem it not. Understand?"
Hard looks were shared, but all demurred to her request. To disagree means dishonor, as the word of their Archon and God is law itself. "I am grateful for your faith, Your Highness. The Kujou clan is not worthy of your mercy!"
"Do not mistake my mercy as lenience," Ei replied, stepping down to the rest of her advisers that were bowing to her presence. "Until I find a suitable replacement, the Tenryou Commission will govern it, under careful watch and scrutiny." Whilst not words of comfort, it was no threat. "That is my decree, and no dissents will happen under my watch. Whispers are much easier to hear. No clan would taunt nor disgrace another in my presence."
No one dared to oppose her.
"Good," Ei nodded in satisfaction. "Now, there is another decree that I am implementing. The reign of the Inazuman Shogunate is flawed, that I understand, but I have a temporary solution that benefits all."
With a short gesture of her hand, all raise to witness their god's words. "And does that relate to the trouble of the armory, Your Highness?"
Discussion continued without any further disturbance. The inconvenience with armory was solved with the assistance of a minor clan within the Tenryou Commission, as they have connections with nearly all of the blacksmiths here at Narukami and without the baggage of suspicion and scrutiny that the Kujou clan held. It was still a temporary reprieve until the Mikage Furnace was back into proper service. With that done, the rest of the council left for the day.
All except one left the throne room. "Is there anything you wish to say, Kujou Sara?" asked Ei.
The young woman did her best not to flinch at the expectant gaze of the Shogun. Worst still, Sara was fidgeting. Ei knew she had more to ask, and she was willing to answer.
"When- When I was knocked out, how did it end? The Harbinger was in your presence, and I know you can handle yourself, but the puppet might not be able to act without-"
Ei raised a hand, slowly gazing back at her other form slouching behind her. It had a blank look, but Ei knew the Shogun puppet could still listen. She still hadn't modified it yet, and it agitated her on how frustrating the puppet was. Ei was determined back then to not change her mind, and locked her puppet's ideals tightly, as it had for over five hundred years.
"I was not aware at the time- apologies for failing you." Ei had a regretful look as she bowed her head in shame. This humble act horrified Sara.
Kujou Sara was a trusted general, the most loyal and devoted to the Shogun, no matter Ei's skewed ideals. She was a skilled archer and experienced warrior. Bold and decisive on the battlefield. Ei knew that the woman before her was not truly cold and stern, but only surrounded her own personal conviction towards a much greater cause, and it had cost her honor and dignity. Ei was ashamed to have such an outstanding individual still loyal to her after she abandoned them.
The image of Kujou Sara's unconscious body still haunts her thoughts.
"Wha-?! Almighty Shogun! There is no amount of authority in this world that would ever make you atone for the sins that you have never committed! We mortals are foolish creatures, taking advantage of your wisdom and might. It was because of my blind hubris and that you were taken advantage of. It will never happen again, not on my watch!"
Ei sighed at the stubbornness of Kujou Sara.
"Yes, it was at the hands of my most trusted advisers that I listened," Ei conceded, and she saw Sara cringe at the words "trusted" and "advisers". "But I never had listened, nor did I even cared to consider the wishes of my people. In the end, I still achieved nothing, and lost plenty."
"You are too stubborn for your own good, Ei. You seek the end of the delusion that is the world around you, and yet you deign not to explain yourself. Foolish."
Ei mentally scoffed at the scathing words of her old friend, Kitsune Saiguu. But she was right. Baal would have been so embarrassed at her precious kagemusha, her shadow, of the thought of the ideals of pursuit of happiness was replaced with the cold vindication of an unchanging eternity.
"But I will not give up. Not that easily."
Whilst her ideals of Eternity were slanted by mortal greed, her true pursuit will never waver nor will her dreams of unchanging eternity. But she had a new desire for something else, a curiosity that still bounded to her indecision. But no more will it haunt her.
"If you wish to prove your devotion, then you must do something for me."
And she has a certain Traveler to find. Ei needed answers from a neutral perspective, and a new perception of the current times. Ei enjoyed her brief taste of life beyond Tenshukaku, and she was willing to seek it again. There was a mortal term that Yae was adamant that she must use when seeking the Traveler, but Miko's insistence was suspicious.
Ei would be bored no longer.
Aether was stumped.
Here he was, treating Paimon to her usual treats, at Shimura's. Even if the food costs keep piling up every city they've been through, Aether did not care one bit of the expenditure. Paimon was his precious companion after all, they have faced so many dangers and many trials. If food and the usual treats kept her happy, then Aether has no notion to complain either.
It was him that was the problem.
Even though he and Paimon left Liyue some time ago, probably a month since, Aether still can't get rid of the dark feeling pestering within. The empty hole left by the scathing and confusing words of his twin still haunts him to this day. The hours and moments just flyby, Aether consuming them all ravenously.
Not a day comes that Aether rarely moves from place to place, island to island, people to people. It distracts him, busies him up, enough for the pain to slowly wither away.
That is, until the climax at Tenshukaku. Everything unraveled there, far too quickly for Aether's tastes. From the truth, the cause, and even the simple reasons laid out. It still wasn't enough. He wasn't distracted enough.
He took local commissions from the Inazuma Adventurers Guild, solving the endless storms of Seirai Island, and even took his time admiring Watatsumi Island. Paimon was having a blast, and Aether was still distracted, but it only took one mistake. He was tasked to investigate an island thought to be occupied by the local Hilichurl tribes. It was instead infested with the members of the Abyss Order.
Aether dealt with them, of course, but the dark reminder that his sister was responsible for many things that the Order was known for, dulled his sensations on the way back to Narakumi Island. Even the jubilant praises of Paimon were deaf to his ears. Everything seemed so dull recently, and Aether even lost the taste of food. No matter what was on his plate, sandwiches, soup, local delicacies, the only taste left was the bitterness it should not have.
It was still too early to say, but Aether had a feeling that their trip to Sumeru would be delayed for a while.
Tensions between the Bakufu and the Sangonomiya rebels are still not resolved, and if anything, it heightened to a point of a temporary diplomatic pause. With the insinuation that many members of the Shogun's forces, and most notably those who enforced the Sakoku or Vision Hunt decree, are still colluding with the Fatui. On the other side, the Bakufu also chastised the rebels for having and possessing illegal goods that belonged to the Fatui, especially the Delusions that were used against them.
Both sides still refuse to succumb to each other's accusations.
"Hmm, hey Traveler, isn't that...?"
Aether swerved his head towards a figure approaching them. Paimon was right to be startled, as the Raiden Shogun herself seemed to reward them with her presence. And what a presence indeed.
The fear and absolute terror the Shogun spawned when exiting Tenshukaku made Aether remember the lingering dread. Though it was gone now, the sensation of sheer horror crawling his back was not something he liked. Aether understood it back then, of why the Raiden was the sole ruler of Inazuma, and the Iron Fist that protected and watched over these turbulent islands. And as to why people feared her power, and yet respected her wholeheartedly.
Even when Ayaka was going against the Shogun in secret, there was no hatred or contempt against the Shogun, only reverence and uncertainty. After Baal butchered their patron god and protector, the people of Watatsumi Island still followed her unflinchingly, and only revolted against the Vision Hunt decree, not against the Shogun herself.
She was their god after all, and unlike the Archons he had met, Raiden Shogun was a steadfast and determined being that shielded the realm of Inazuma from the Darkness that still seeps within.
Zhongli was satisfied with the prosperity that Liyue envisioned for the future, a world without gods or deities to dictate what humans cherish. Venti never really had a hand in developing Mondstadt to what it is today, it was in fact intended, as it is a City of Freedom, built by the morals and ambition of kindred souls. Barbatos was their patron god, their protector and Archon. He gave them the tools to surpass his expectations, and never dealt with the rule and foundation of Mondstadt.
But Ei was different, Aether knew that.
When he had met the true form of the Raiden Shogun, he was surprised at how cordial and even understanding she was. Of course, they went against each other immediately, and maybe because Aether was already tired of the posturing around the problem. It was inevitable that they would battle again. Her Ideals were skewed, Aether admits, but he had a kindred spirit with her. Maybe even Aether could imagine a life of unchanging happiness, especially with his sister.
Aether narrowed his golden eyes at the proud form that approached them, and he did blame the shocked look of old man Shimura, as this was their patron god that was casually walking the streets like she owned them. Well, she did technically.
He was still cautious, but let himself relax when Ei gave him that gentle smile. This was not the puppet, it was her truly. That brought a sort of comfort within him that was indescribable. Aether smiled in return as well.
"Traveler, I demand a Second Date with you. It is crucial that you accept immediately."
Hah?
"Ehh, what?!"
"...I'm too old for this..."
Ei only gave him a beaming smile in return, unknowing of the things she had just said. He had a feeling that blaming Yae Miko would be self-evident. Damn that cursed woman.
Aether was definitely stumped today.
AUTHOR'S NOTE:
I did not receive the Raiden Shogun.
People on the internet always joked about the consequences of not wishing at the banner. Well, I did my best and was awarded with my first loss at the 50/50 pull and got Qiqi.
Where's my Raiden Shogun, MiHoYo? Huh?! Where's my precious Archon!?
Just kidding. I'm not as mad as I thought I would be, but I was disappointed nonetheless. Maybe having your expectations lowered might help with coping.
Anyway, this chapter would be the starting point of the story. I await the day when news of Aether's treacherous adventures with a god might spread. Ayaka might as well ready the "Welcome Home, CHEATER" banner at the teahouse when Aether comes back. I may not receive the blessings of the beloved Archon, but Aether definitely will. Lucky bastard.
Also, there was a madlad that PM me about his concerns with the lack of "lemons" in this fic. Well, yeah, no shit sherlock. This is rated teen for a reason, and I was not commissioned for any mature stuff. My patron was adamant that this fic would be romance and comedy only.
Not that it would stop her if she gets the idea, but that is truly up to her. And no, I am not accepting commissions right now, too many projects on board already.
Anyway, expect the next update in the following week. Leave reviews as well, it certainly boosts my muse in writing this. Check my other stories as well, you might find them enjoyable I guarantee it.
There was a review in the prologue chapter that Ningguang and Kujou Sara should be more prepared before they arrived. While that is true, both did not expect an Archon to demand the wedding tomorrow. Who is dumb enough to deny a god? Moreover the Raiden Shogun herself? Heads will roll if they deny her selfish wish. She wants to be married dammit!
